Saudi Arabia Hosts 73rd UIPM Congress in Riyadh, Elects New President

Riyadh, November 16, 2024 – Vice President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed inaugurated the 73rd General Assembly of the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) in Riyadh today. The event, held on behalf of SOPC President Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, underscores Saudi Arabia’s expanding role as a global host for international sports governance and its commitment to the UIPM’s future direction.

Context and Background

The 73rd UIPM Congress marks a pivotal transition for the global modern pentathlon community. The gathering in Riyadh brought together 104 international members for discussions and elections that will shape the sport’s strategic evolution. The election of Robert Stoll of the United States as the new UIPM president, succeeding Dr. Klaus Schormann after 30 years, represents a generational shift in leadership. Prince Fahd bin Jalawi highlighted the significance of hosting this event, describing it as a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s sporting journey that aligns with the nation’s ambitious reforms under Saudi Vision 2030.

Key Details

The congress was chaired by outgoing UIPM President Dr. Klaus Schormann and attended by Nasser Al-Dughaither, President of the Saudi Modern Pentathlon Federation. In the elections, Robert Stoll secured victory with 53 votes against Egypt’s Sharif El-Erian, who received 48 votes. Prince Fahd bin Jalawi underscored the transformative impact of sports investment in the Kingdom: “We have witnessed a significant transformation in recent years, with the percentage of sports participation in the Kingdom rising to nearly 50%, compared to only 13% in 2015. Through these efforts, we aim to build a more active society and host more international events, making the Kingdom a global hub for sports. To date, we have hosted over 100 world-class sporting events, attracting more than 100 million visitors from around the world, including sports, tourism, and entertainment enthusiasts.”

Implications and Impact

Hosting the UIPM Congress strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a credible and capable organizer of global sports diplomacy events. The election of a U.S. leader for the UIPM reflects the international community’s push for modernization within the sport, while Riyadh’s role as host reinforces the Kingdom’s ability to facilitate consensus-building among diverse stakeholders. This event also supports the broader Middle East sports ecosystem, encouraging increased collaboration between Saudi and international federations to promote athlete development and event hosting expertise across the region.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Prince Fahd bin Jalawi emphasized that hosting the 73rd UIPM Congress directly supports Saudi Arabia’s long-term vision of transforming the Kingdom into a global hub for sports, entertainment, and tourism. The surge in sports participation from 13% in 2015 to nearly 50% today demonstrates concrete progress toward building an active, healthy society. As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the Asian Games and continues to attract world-class events, this congress reaffirms the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a destination for international sports governance and a leader in fostering inclusive, sustainable athletic communities for decades to come.

20 Questions

Q1. Who inaugurated the 73rd UIPM Congress in Riyadh?

A1. Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Vice President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC), inaugurated the congress on behalf of SOPC President Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal.

Q2. When and where did the 73rd UIPM Congress take place?

A2. The congress was held on November 16, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as announced by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Q3. What is the UIPM?

A3. The Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) is the international governing body for modern pentathlon, a sport that combines fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, laser pistol shooting, and cross-country running.

Q4. Who chaired the 73rd UIPM Congress?

A4. The congress was chaired by the outgoing UIPM President Dr. Klaus Schormann, who served in the role for 30 years.

Q5. How many members attended the congress?

A5. A total of 104 international members from around the world attended the congress in Riyadh.

Q6. Who was elected as the new UIPM president?

A6. Robert Stoll from the United States was elected as the new UIPM president, receiving 53 votes in the election.

Q7. Who was Robert Stoll’s opponent in the election?

A7. Robert Stoll defeated Egypt’s Sharif El-Erian, who received 48 votes in the UIPM presidential election.

Q8. What did Prince Fahd bin Jalawi say about Saudi Arabia’s sports participation?

A8. He stated that sports participation in the Kingdom rose to nearly 50%, compared to only 13% in 2015, reflecting a major transformation under Vision 2030.

Q9. How many world-class sporting events has Saudi Arabia hosted?

A9. According to Prince Fahd bin Jalawi, Saudi Arabia has hosted over 100 world-class sporting events to date.

Q10. How many visitors have these events attracted?

A10. These events have attracted more than 100 million visitors, including sports, tourism, and entertainment enthusiasts.

Q11. What is the significance of hosting the UIPM Congress for Saudi Arabia?

A11. Hosting the congress reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role as a global hub for sports governance and supports its Vision 2030 goals of building an active society and hosting international events.

Q12. Which Saudi official leads the Saudi Modern Pentathlon Federation?

A12. Nasser Al-Dughaither serves as the President of the Saudi Modern Pentathlon Federation.

Q13. What was the theme of Prince Fahd bin Jalawi’s speech?

A13. He highlighted the importance of the event as a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s sporting journey and its alignment with the leadership’s Vision 2030 ambitions.

Q14. How does this congress support Vision 2030?

A14. The congress supports Vision 2030 by promoting sports participation, attracting international visitors, and positioning the Kingdom as a global destination for sports governance and events.

Q15. What does the election of Robert Stoll represent for modern pentathlon?

A15. The election represents a generational shift in UIPM leadership, as Stoll succeeds Dr. Klaus Schormann, who led the organization for three decades.

Q16. Why is Riyadh chosen to host such international sports congresses?

A16. Riyadh offers modern facilities, strategic location, and strong government support for sports, making it an ideal venue for international events that align with Saudi Arabia’s global engagement strategy.

Q17. What is the role of the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) in coverage of such events?

A17. The SPA is the official source for news about government and royal activities in Saudi Arabia, providing accurate and timely information about events like the UIPM Congress.

Q18. How does the UIPM Congress benefit the sport of modern pentathlon?

A18. The congress facilitates discussions on the sport’s rules, development, and future direction, and the election brings fresh leadership to guide modernization efforts.

Q19. What is the international reaction to Saudi Arabia hosting the UIPM Congress?

A19. The hosting is seen as a sign of Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports and its commitment to fostering international cooperation in athletic governance.

Q20. What long-term sports goals does Saudi Arabia aim to achieve?

A20. Saudi Arabia aims to increase sports participation, host the Asian Games and other international events, and become a leading global hub for sports, tourism, and entertainment by 2030.

---